Wayne North pitchers Warren, Nix follow coaches' game plan

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on June 14, 2012 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

Wayne North had a simple plan.

Throw strikes and get outs without giving up many walks.

Both Wayne North starters followed instructions and the team downed Wayne West in both games of a Junior Legion doubleheader 10-3 and 6-1 on Wednesday night.

"Our starting pitching has been big or us so far this season," Wayne North head coach Tyler Ham said. "Going out there and throwing strikes makes the game a lot easier. There is no way to defend walks and our defense is good enough to get us outs."

North started the first game with a three-run first inning.

Zach Smith drew a walk and Ryan Warren ripped a base hit. Justin Lee plated both runners with a base hit and later scored on Brandon Johnson's RBI groundout.

North added one run in the second inning for a 4-0 lead.

Wayne West cut the lead in half the fourth inning. Ethan Champion and Jordan Gurley delivered back-to-back singles. Khalil Warren belted a two-run single that made the score 4-2.

North immediately answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Andrew McKeel doubled and scored when Smith reached on an error. Lee plated Smith with a productive groundout. North put the game away in the sixth inning with four additional runs on four base hits.

Tyler Warren lasted through the complete game on the mound to earn the win for Wayne North. Warren allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out six.

"Tyler stayed within himself and he let the defense do its job," Ham said. "When you get ahead in the count and avoid the middle of the strike zone it takes the pressure off."

Game two was much of the same as Wayne North starter Collin Nix controlled the game from the pitcher's mound. Nix tossed a complete game and allowed just one run on seven hits.

Jeremy Lancaster got North on the board in the first inning with an RBI single that plated Ryan Warren. North built on its lead with an insurance run in the second inning and two more in the third frame to make the score 4-0.

Wayne West scored its lone run of game two in the top of the third inning when Hayden Davis walked and later scored when Bryce McKeel reached on an error.

A pair of Wayne West errors led to the final two runs of the night in the bottom of the fourth.

The two teams meet again tonight in New Hope.